Inner Transformation and Well-being: A Transformations Community Dialogue

Authors

  • Kira Jade Cooper Postdoctoral Researcher, WISIR (Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience), University of Waterloo - Canada. Corresponding Author: kcooper@uwaterloo.ca
  • Therese Asplund Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research, Department of Thematic Studies, Environmental Change, Linköping University - Sweden
  • Pål Dobrin CEO Empaticus and CARE Meditation - Sweden

Keywords:

Inner transformations, Sustainability, Wisdom traditions, Mindfulness

Abstract

Trends towards unsustainability are worsening, driving interest in inner transformation to support progress towards a more viable and just future. Many approaches to these transformations include interventions intended to shift ways of seeing, being, and relating in the world from a narrative of separation towards one of interconnectedness. Transforming dominant systems that perpetuate inequities and imperil both social and ecological systems is a necessary yet profoundly challenging task. This paper synthesizes the dialogue between four individuals with diverse backgrounds in inner transformation, sustainability, and systemic change hosted by the Transformations Community at the annual 2023 conference. Diverse approaches to and cautions for shifting mindsets towards more sustainable worldviews were discussed. Emergent insights from the discussion inform a growing body of scholarship and practice at the nexus of inner and outer sustainability.

Author Biographies

Kira Jade Cooper, Postdoctoral Researcher, WISIR (Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience), University of Waterloo - Canada. Corresponding Author: kcooper@uwaterloo.ca

Kira Jade Cooper is a postdoctoral fellow at the Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience (WISIR).  Her research explores the relationship between inner and outer transformations for progress towards sustainability. Currently, she is examining how novel affective, cognitive, and relational skills might be cultivated to better navigate the metacrisis and increase systemic readiness for change.

Corresponding Author: kcooper@uwaterloo.ca

Therese Asplund, Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research, Department of Thematic Studies, Environmental Change, Linköping University - Sweden

Therese Asplund is an Associate Professor at the Department of Thematic Studies-Environmental Change, and Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research, Linköping University, Sweden. Her research examines the ways in which dialogical processes shape our understanding of, and engagement with, climate – environmental – sustainability change. With a particular focus on contemplative techniques and practices, her research currently explores stories of personal sustainability transformations.

Pål Dobrin, CEO Empaticus and CARE Meditation - Sweden

Pål Dobrin, founder of the CARE Meditation Teacher and Changemaker Training, is a long term meditation practitioner and method developer specialized in bringing inner development into new fields. He has extensive experience in guiding people through inner transformation processes with the help of techniques from ancient wisdom traditions. He does so in many different contexts ranging from training future psychiatrists in compassion and emotion skills to helping people come out of addiction or back from burnout.

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Published

2023-12-19

How to Cite

Cooper, K. J., Asplund, T., & Dobrin, P. (2023). Inner Transformation and Well-being: A Transformations Community Dialogue. Social Innovations Journal, 22. Retrieved from https://socialinnovationsjournal.com/index.php/sij/article/view/6960

Issue

Vol. 22 (2023): Transformative Partnerships: Proceedings of Transformations Conference '23

Section

Transformative Partnerships

Categories

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Kira Jade Cooper, Therese Asplund, Pål Dobrin (Author)

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